The Benue State House of Assembly has passed the 2019 appropriation bill submitted to it by the Benue State governor Samuel Ortom to the tune of 199,745,043,910 billion naira.
The House gave the approval on Thursday at plenary after a clause by clause debate on the bill in the committee of the whole.
Approving the 2019 budget, Speaker of the House, Titus Uba said Recurrent Expenditure was put at 109,332,990,118 billion, while capital expenditure was 90,412,053,792 billion with the deficit financing tagged at 40,655,026,424 billion.
Mr Uba thanked members of the Assembly for accepting to give the bill accelerated hearing and speedy passage.
The Assembly urged the ministry of finance not to relent in releasing funds meant for Public Sector Entities as at when due so as to enable the various sectors carryout proper implementation of their capital projects.
The house also recommended “That Benue State Internal Service (BIRS) do step up revenue generation (IGR) in the state to augment what comes from the Federation Account Allocation to the state.”
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The House cautioned Public Sector Entities against involved in extra-budgetary expenditures so as to deliver on the implementation of the annual budget.
Contributing, member representing Ukum Constituency, Mr. Paul Biam, who said he was participating in budget process for the last time on the floor of the house, expressed worry that the Recurrent Expenditure was higher than the Capital Expenditure.
He urged his colleagues who would be part of the 9th Benue Assembly to address the issue so as to avoid a repeat of such decision, saying such was not a good practice.
Also speaking, the majority leader, Avine Agbum and deputy majority whip, Sule Audu thanked members for their patience and contributions during the sittings leading to the passage of the bill.
Chairman House Committee on Appropriation, Mathew Ire expressed satisfaction at what the house had done saying the passage of the 2019 appropriation bill would mark the beginning of an economic year for Benue state.
